Locations
Dearest all,
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Guinea-Bissau extends its warmest greetings to its partners and personnel and has the honour of conveying information about the global situation concerning COVID-19.
The situation remains dire and unpredictable with the continuous increase of new cases of infection and of the death toll, including the African continent. The Government of Guinea-Bissau had already confirmed two positive cases on March 25th. Yesterday, March 29th, through an announcement on Guinea-Bissau Television, the number of infected persons was updated to eight and 10 suspected cases are still being analyzed at the National Laboratory of Public Health [Laboratório National de Saúde Pública] in Bissau.
Besides measures of vigilance and prevention, more severe measures were applied, including restrictions concerning circulation of cars and people on public streets and roads, restrictions of international travel, of sales on public roads, the closure of restaurants and pubs, among other things, and the prohibition of social gatherings.
Aligned with the international policies and norms of the United Nations and Government measures, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Guinea-Bissau is perfecting internal measures of prevention and containment, particularly the implementation of teleworking (working from home) as from March 25th, 2020. The UNDP took these measures to reduce the risk of contributing to transmission and propagation, mainly to the members of the most vulnerable communities, and to limit staff exposure.
Measures include rescheduling activities that cease to be a priority, mainly those that involve agglomerations of people; suspension of missions of external experts and of journeys abroad and reduction of travel to the hinterland; and promotion of virtual meetings and communication.
With these measures taken, UNDP will implement all prioritised activities and won’t stop devising solutions in order to support the country in its efforts against COVID-19 and for the development of all Guineans. At an operational level, most processes will be implemented, including signatures and approval of documents and transactions, while additional solutions will be explored.
This is a new experience and work method for the UNDP team in this country. In this context, we seek the collaboration of our partners for preparing events and joint consultation with the focal points on the risks of COVID-19 in every activity.
UNDP counts upon a strong partnership and collaboration of its partners so together we may be able to contribute towards the prevention and containment of COVID-19 and of the threats this virus poses to the country.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us or to share contributions on ways to turn these shared efforts more effective, while we go ahead with our commitments and contributions for the well-being and the development of the country.
With the expression of high esteem and consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Tjark Egenhoff
